Joshua 16KJV
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Joshua16

King James Version · Public Domain

1And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Beth–el,

2And goeth out from Beth–el to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,

3And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Beth–horon the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.

4So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

5And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Ataroth–addar, unto Beth–horon the upper;

6And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanath–shiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;

7And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.

8The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.

9And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.

10And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 16.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The sons of Joseph. (1-31).

vv1-31

This and the following chapter should not be separated. They give the lots of Ephraim and Manasseh, the children of Joseph, who, next to Judah, were to have the post of honour, and therefore had the first and best portion in the northern part of Canaan, as Judah in the southern part. God's people now, as of old, suffer his enemies to remain. Blessed Lord, when will all our enemies be subdued? 1Co 15:26. Do thou drive them all out; thou alone canst do it. These settled boundaries may remind us, that our situation and provision in this life, as well as our future inheritance, are appointed by the only wise and righteous God, and we should be content with our portion, since he knows what is best for us, and all we have is more than we deserve.

Cross References

Joshua 16
v10Judges 1:29thematic

Direct parallel confirming Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites in Gezer.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v101 Kings 9:16thematic

Records the historical fulfillment of Gezer's eventual capture and destruction by Pharaoh for Solomon.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Joshua 17:13thematic

Parallels the shared failure of the Joseph tribes in putting Canaanites to tribute.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v12 Kings 2:19-21thematic

Identifies the 'water of Jericho' later healed by Elisha.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Genesis 28:19thematic

Provides the historical origin of Bethel formerly being named Luz.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Joshua 18:12thematic

Identifies the wilderness on the southern border as the wilderness of Beth-aven.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v9Joshua 17:9thematic

Documents the complex overlapping boundary and shared cities between Ephraim and Manasseh.

Supported by JFB

Lists the possessions and habitations of Ephraim, including Bethel and Naaran.

v3Joshua 10:10thematic

Mentions Beth-horon, a key boundary point and previous battle site.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Records that Sheerah, an Ephraimite woman, built Beth-horon the nether and the upper.

v1Joshua 18:5thematic

Explains the division order, where Judah and Joseph took possessions first.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v4Joshua 17:14thematic

The sons of Joseph complain to Joshua about their single lot portion.

v10Joshua 15:63contrast

Contrasts Ephraim's failure in Gezer with Judah's failure to expel Jebusites from Jerusalem.

Law regarding tributary service, though God commanded total driving out in Canaan.